ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Resumption of economic activities brings respite in the region
Chandigarh, April 27,2020
The resumption of industrial and manufacturing activities in the states of Punjab and Haryana has brought relief to the people dependent on them. The Government of India in its order on 20 April 2020 has allowed resumption of selected industrial and manufacturing activities except in containment zones in hotspots. After this, these activities have been restarted by the state governments in their respective jurisdictions.
The shops of agriculture machinery have been in the list of allowed activities under the category of agricultural and related activities. Duni Chand from Haryana, an owner of such a shop said it is good because he can earn his livelihood which gives him a sense of self-sufficiency and dignity. Harvesting season is on in states like Punjab and Haryana and this requires the need for constant repair & maintenance of machines. This will smoothen the flow of agricultural operations which are at its peak.
https://twitter.com/PIBChandigarh/status/1254712557501214720?s=09 
As industries have resumed its operations in the region, further relaxations have come as a reprieve to people owning small shops. Vijay Kumar, who owns a welding shop said that opening his shop for few hours helps him earn as he has no other source of livelihood. In continuation of relief efforts during the lockdown, on 21st April 2020 book shops were also added to the list of allowed activities. Rahul Goyal, a Panjab University student, said he was trying to get books as exams will be conducted when university reopens.
https://twitter.com/PIBChandigarh/status/1254641345194409984 

As these activities go on, the poor have been provided support via a relief package under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana. Completing one month since announcement on 26 March 2020, Rs 1.7 lakh crore relief package continues to ensure the interests of the poor during lockdown. Harpreet Sharma of District Jalandhar of Punjab expressed his gratitude to the government as his family has received sufficient rations under the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojna. Rukmani from Solan in Himachal Pradesh said that she has received her old-age pension and expressed her gratitude to the Government of India
https://twitter.com/PIBChandigarh/status/1254711922194251776 
https://twitter.com/PIBChandigarh/status/1250342341992263682
Prime Minister's Office
Telephone Conversation between PM and President of the Republic of Uganda
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation today with H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of the Republic of Uganda.
The two leaders discussed the health and economic challenges arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prime Minister assured H.E. President Museveni that India stands in solidarity with its friends in Africa during the present health crisis, and would extend all possible support to the Ugandan Government’s efforts to control the spread of the virus in its territory.
Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for the goodwill and care extended to the Indian diaspora in Uganda by the host Government and society, including during the present situation.
Prime Minister warmly recalled his visit to Uganda in July 2018, and touched on the special nature of India-Uganda ties.
Both leaders shared the hope that the world would soon prevail over the challenge of COVID-19.
Competition Commission of India
CCI approves acquisition of 4.15% of the shareholding in Aditya Birla Capital Limited by Jomei Investments Ltd. of Combination under Section 31 of the Competition Act, 2002
The Competition Commission of India  approved acquisition of 4.15% of the shareholding in Aditya Birla Capital Limited  by Jomei Investments Limited .
JIL, a special purpose vehicle, is wholly-owned by Advent International GPE IX Limited Partnership, a fund managed by Advent International Corporation.
ABCL is the holding company for the financial services businesses of the Aditya Birla group. Through its subsidiaries and joint ventures, ABCL has presence across diverse businesses including, non-banking financial sector, asset management, life insurance, housing finance, health insurance, general insurance broking, wealth management, equity, currency and commodity broking, pension fund management and asset reconstruction businesses.
Detailed order of the Commission will follow.
Vice President's Secretariat
Vice President calls for speedy completion of projects in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
Interacts with Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal
VP suggests Spice Park’s linkage with the NG Ranga Agricultural University in Guntur
The Vice President of India, Shri M Venkaiah Naidu today interacted with the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal and officials of the Ministry at his residence and enquired about the progress of projects relating to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
During the interaction, the officials briefed him about the progress of Vishakhapatnam Chennai Industrial Corridor , Indian Institute of Packaging , Kakinada, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade , Kakinada, and Spice Park at Guntur.
Referring to Spice Park at Guntur, the Vice President wanted the Ministry to explore the possibility of a linkage with the NG Ranga Agricultural University in the same district. He said that some of the students might be interested to become agri-entrepreneurs and set up units in the park.
The Vice President also enquired about the progress of the Hyderabad-Warangal Industrial Corridor and Hyderabad-Nagpur Industrial Corridor in Telangana. Shri Naidu also enquired about the Pharma City project, coming up at Mucherla in the state.
Shri Naidu asked the officials to expedite all ongoing projects and ensure timely completion as most of these projects were part of the Andhra Pradesh State Reorganisation Act, 2014. He suggested to the Minister to hold a review meeting with the officials of both the state governments and identify the bottlenecks if any, in the execution of the projects.
The officials informed the Vice President that they would coordinate with the respective state governments.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves subsidizing MDR charges on debit card/BHIM UPI/AePS transactions of value less than Rs.2000
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved that the Merchant Discount Rate  applicable on all debit card/BHIM UPI/ Aadhaar enabled Payment System  transactions upto and including a value of Rs. 2000 will be borne by the Government for a period of two years with effect from 1st January, 2018 by reimbursing the same to the banks.
A Committee comprising of Secretary Department of Financial Services, Secretary Ministry of Electronics & I.T. and the CEO, National Payment Corporation of India  will look into the industry cost structure of such transactions which will form the basis to determine the levels of reimbursement.
As a result of this approval, for all transactions less than Rs. 2000 in value, the consumer and the merchant will not suffer any additional burden in the form of MDR thereby leading to greater adoption of digital payment modes for such transactions. Since such transactions account for sizeable percentage of transaction volume, it will help to move towards a less cash economy.
It is estimated that the MDR to be reimbursed to the banks in respect of transactions less than Rs.2000 in value would be Rs.1,050 crore in FY 2018-19 and Rs.1,462 crore in FY 2019-20.
When payment is made at a merchant point of sale, MDR is payable by the merchant to the bank. Citing this, many people make cash payments inspite of having debit cards. Similarly, MDR is charged on payments made to merchants through BHIM UPI platform and AePS.
Ministry of Education
Union HRD Minister felicitates Vice Chancellors of Women Universities and women Principals of Delhi Colleges as part of International Women's Day celebrations
We have special provisions for girls’ education in upcoming New Education Policy – Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal‘Nishank’
HRD Minister launches SAKSHAM portal aiming at empowerment of women in campuses
To mark the occasion of the lnternational Women’s Day, 2020, Union Minister for Human Resource Development Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ felicitated the Vice Chancellors of Women Universities and Women Principals of Delhi Colleges in New Delhi today. Senior officials of the Ministry and UGC were also present on the occasion.
Union Minister also launched the SAKSHAM portal, developed by UGC that aims towards empowerment of women in campuses through creating awareness on the existing opportunities and initiatives, support and redressal mechanism. The web resources  are made available to women students and employees of Higher Education Institutions through the portal. The url address of SAKSHAM portal is saksham.ugc.ac.in
Speaking on the occasion , Shri Pokhriyal said that to reaffirm the commitment to ensure the rights and entitlements of women, we believe that a healthy academic environment is a necessary prerequisite to quality education for women students and employees in Higher Educational Institutions. He added that Government has undertaken several initiatives through the provision of various fellowships, scholarships, support to institutions for capacity expansion and empowerment of women. The Union Minister also said that the New Education Policy is in final stage and we have special provisions such as higher funding, scholarship etc. for girls' students in it.
While informing about the SAKSHAM portal the Minister said that it brings together information on all women-oriented initiatives and provides a platform for registering complaints related to violence and harassment through a National helpline number  against women in HEIs. He further informed that an email address  and an ‘Upload your complaint’ option under Grievance redressal is also available on the portal.
Special Service and Features
Government of India has announced the sale of 30 lakh MTs of Wheat in the open market to bring down the wholesale and retail prices of Wheat
Government of India has announced the sale of 30 lakh MTs of Wheat to bring down the wholesale and retail prices of Wheat in the open market. Food Corporation of India, Tamil Nadu Region has released Wheat FAQ, Wheat URS under Open Market Sale Scheme  for registered bulk buyers/traders/manufacturers of Wheat products.FCI TN region had floated e- auction for sale of 85000MT of Wheat on 27th of January 2023. The e-auction was conducted on 01.02.2023 from 21 depots a quantity of 46090 MTs was sold to various bidders. FCI TN Region started releasing this stock into open market to cool down prices of wheat and wheat products. In addition 10000MTs of Wheat issued to Tamilnadu state government under the government quota of the government of India open market sale scheme. Further FCI likely to float next tender on 10.02.2023 and e-auction for the same would be conducted on 15.02.2023, according to a press release issued by General Manager , FCI, Regional Office, Tamil Nadu.
Ministry of Finance
Income Tax Department conducts searches in Tamil Nadu
During the course of election surveillance being carried out for the ensuing assembly elections in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, the Income Tax Department, has, on 16.03.2021, conducted search actions on five premises in Chennai.
These five premises belong to five entities, who, in addition to their regular business, are also acting as Cash Handlers. The action resulted in a cash seizure of Rs 5.32 crore.
In a separate development, the Income Tax Department, carried out search and seizure operations on 17/03/2021 on a business group engaged in yarn trading and supply of PPE kits, bags and Baby care kits to various State Governments. The searches were conducted in eight premises at Tirupur, Dharapuram and Chennai.
The searches revealed that the group is engaged in the practice of suppressing profit by inflating purchases and other expenses. The unaccounted income so generated is utilized for making investments in land and expansion of business.
The search has resulted in seizure of unaccounted cash of Rs.11.50 crore and total unaccounted income detected so far is Rs.80 crore. Further investigations are in progress.
Seizure of large unaccounted cash will reduce the possibility of its utilisation for electoral purposes and will aid the objective of free and fair poll in the State of Tamil Nadu. Income Tax department has stepped up its monitoring and is closely watching the cash movement during the ensuing assembly elections.
Ministry of Defence
Joint cycling cum Trekking expedition by Indian Army & Royal Bhutan Army
A joint Cycling cum Trekking Expedition of Indian Army and Royal Bhutan Army was conducted to commemorate “Fifty years of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between India and Bhutan”. The expedition began on 31 July from Haa Dzong in Bhutan and was flagged-in at Thimpu on 07 August 2018. A total of seventeen personnel of both armies participated in the expedition which covered a total of 384 kms of distance across challenging mountainous terrain in both India and Bhutan.
The expedition team passed through Binnaguri in India during the final phase of expedition. The expedition has furthered the strong bonds of bonhomie between the two armies, adding yet another glorious moment in the relations between the two nations.
Col Aman Anand
PRO 
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Ministry of Communications
DPIIT registered Start-ups and registered MSMEs for Testing & Certification of Telecom Products get total exemption of testing & certification fees for their products
Certificate renewal fee substantially reduced to encourage the firms to get their Certificates renewed after a period of 5 years
With a view to support and encourage ecosystem for Start-ups and MSMEs in Telecom and related ICT sector, Telecommunication Engineering Centre , the technical body under Department of Telecommunications  has incentivized DPIIT registered Start-ups and registered MSMEs for Testing & Certification of Telecom Products under Voluntary Certification Scheme of TEC by total exemption of testing & certification fees for their products. This exemption is valid for a period of 5 years and it will also benefit women entrepreneur enterprises.
Further, in order to encourage the firms to get their Certificates renewed after a period of 5 years, the renewal fees has been reduced substantially . The existing administrative fees  under voluntary certification scheme will be charged as renewal fees if the product hardware remains same & TEC Standard/Specifications is valid. The said renewal Certificate will be valid for a period of 10 years
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India’s Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage exceeds 186.07 Cr
Over 2.32 Cr vaccine doses administered for age group 12-14 years
India's Active caseload currently stands at 10,870
1,088 new cases reported in the last 24 hours
Recovery Rate currently stands at 98.76%
Weekly Positivity Rate is presently at 0.24%
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 186.07 Cr  as per provisional reports till 7 am today. This has been achieved through 2,25,81,738 sessions.
COVID-19 vaccination for the age group 12-14 years was started on 16 March, 2022. So far, more than 2.32 Cr  adolescents have been administered with the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Similarly, the COVID-19 precaution dose administration for age group 18-59 years also started from 10th April, 2022 onwards. 45,289 precaution doses have been administered so far.
The break-up of the cumulative figure as per the provisional report till 7 am today include:
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10404215
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
10006554
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
4562814
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
18414078
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
17523021
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
7064560
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
23225381
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
57754385
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
39940527
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
555140012
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
471235049
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
9921
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
202834301
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
186490967
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
35368
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
126801867
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
116165667
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
13097812
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
2,47,70,475
|
|
Total
|
|
1,86,07,06,499
Following a continuous downward trend, India’s Active Caseload declines to today 10,870 Active cases now constitute 0.03% of the country's total Positive Cases.
Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 98.76%. 1,081 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours and the cumulative tally of recovered patients  is now at 4,25,05,410.
1,088 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours.
The last 24 hours saw a total of 4,29,323 COVID-19 tests being conducted. India has so far conducted over 79.49 Cr  cumulative tests.
There has been a sustained fall in the weekly Positivity Rate too. Weekly Positivity Rate in the country currently stands at 0.24% and the Daily Positivity rate is also reported to be 0.25%.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Irrigation Potential Created Through Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana  was launched during the year 2015-16, with an aim to enhance physical access of water on farm and expand cultivable area under assured irrigation, improve on-farm water use efficiency, introduce sustainable water conservation practices, etc.
PMKSY is an umbrella scheme, consisting of two major components being implemented by this Ministry, namely, Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme , and Har Khet Ko Pani . HKKP, in turn, consists of four sub-components, being Command Area Development & Water Management , Surface Minor Irrigation , Repair, Renovation and Restoration  of Water Bodies, and Ground Water  Development component. However, the CAD&WM sub-component of HKKP is being implemented pari-passu with AIBP.
In addition, central assistance is also being provided by this Ministry for creation/stabilization of irrigation potential for the identified special and National projects. These include Lakhwar multipurpose project, Shahpur Kandi dam project, Polavaram  irrigation project, Relining of Rajasthan Feeder and Sirhind Feeder of Punjab and North Koel reservoir project.
Apart from the above, in July, 2018, Government of India has approved a special package for Maharashtra whereby financial assistance is being provided to 83 surface minor irrigation  projects and 8 major / medium irrigation projects in drought prone districts in Vidarbha and Marathwada and rest of Maharashtra in phases, up to 2022-23.
Total irrigation potential created under PMKSY-AIBP with pari passu implementation of CAD&WM; SMI, RRR & GW components of PMKSY-HKKP; Lakhwar, Shahpur Kandi, and Polavaram National projects; special projects namely Relining of Rajasthan Feeder & Sirhind Feeder of Punjab and North Koel reservoir project; and Special Package of Maharashtra during 2017-18 to 2021-2022, State-wise and year-wise, is at Annexure-I.
Central assistance provided by Government of India since financial year 2017-18 till present date, and expenditure made during 2017-18 to 2021-22 under above schemes/projects, State-wise and year-wise, is at Annexure-II and Annexure-III, respectively.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Bishweswar Tudu in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Special Service and Features
STANDARDS CLUB – MENTORS TRAINING PROGRAMME - CONDUCTED BY BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS 
Children are the future and form the foundation on which strong, vibrant and dynamic Nation is built. The values children are exposed to in their formative years get inculcated in their young minds and serve as a force multiplier that has the capacity to transform the future of a Nation. Quality consciousness, based on Standardization is one of the pillars of accelerated economic development and priming students to appreciate the significance of quality, Standards and Standardization can serve as a catalyst to improve social awareness on these subjects.
BIS with na intend to support such activities has formed Standards Clubs in Schools and Colleges by providing learning opportunities to young talents in the field of quality and Standardization. The Officiated Teacher/Mentor of the educational Institution will serve as beacons of light, guiding and motivating students to channelize their creativity and enhancing scientific temperament.
Bureau of Indian Standards, Chennai Branch Office- II is conducting a two day Standards Club, Mentors Training Programme on 19-20 May 2022 at Hotel Savera Chennai. Around 50 Mentors from various schools/colleges from Southern Region will be participating in the training Programme. The Objective of this programme is to impart knowledge to the Mentors with a motive to reorient attitudes of young generation for students’ growth and National Interest; to inculcate standards culture and to sensitize the students on impact of standards on life and society; to help students select a career in the industry to enable and appreciate the importance of National and International standards and encourage them to take participation in Standardization work.
Smt. KAKARLA USHA, IAS., Principal Secretary, School Education Department, Government of Tamilnadu was the Chief Guest of the Programme and delivered the inaugural address. In her speech, she mentioned that the quality of education the students are getting in the school is extremely critical encouraged the Mentors to expand the definition of quality to go beyond subjects and then only every child will grow as a well aware citizen.
Shri. U.S.P. Yadav, Scientist–F & Deputy Director General , Bureau of Indian Standards outlined the program objectives and emphasized on the utility of standard clubs and Standardization activity as a whole as it would influence the outlook of the students in the aspects of quality consciousness as they are the future citizens of the nation. He requested for the active participation of the members.
Smt.G Bhavani, Scientist-E & Head ,BIS welcomed the participants and will be handling sessions for the participants along with other senior BIS Officials during this two days Mentors Training Programme.
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Ministry of Culture
Students exchange programme organised as part of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Program between paired states of Odisha and Maharashtra
50 students, four faculties from Maharashtra arrived in Odisha on a five-day visit
A group of students from AC Patil College of Engineering, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra arrived at the Gandhi Institute for Technology , Bhubaneswar in the student exchange programme being organised as a part of “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” an initiative by the Government of India.
As per this unique idea of sustained and structured cultural connect, GIFT has been paired with A. C Patil College of Engineering, Navi Mumbai. Maharashtra by AICTE, New Delhi. The inaugural ceremony today was conducted in the presence of Dr. Ch. Vs Parameswar Rao, Principal, GIFT Bhubaneswar.
As a part of this five day exchange programme that begins today, the students will visit different historical places, Puri Jagannath Temple, Chilika , Konark, the local market and nearby villages. Each day there will be a presentation about Odisha related to different areas such as culture, tradition, history, etc. On the final day of the visit, the students will prepare reports about their visit to Odisha.